What is THE X FACTOR UK?

The “X Factor” refers to the undefinable “something” that makes for star quality, and THE X FACTOR UK has been unearthing that something in regular folks for a decade!

THE X FACTOR UK is the biggest television talent competition in Europe, and is hugely popular with both fans and musicians alike – with nearly 10 million viewers tuning in each week to see 22,000 hopefuls get whittled down to 24, then 12, then just one. And this Fall, the series is back for it’s biggest season yet – Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are returning, Mel B is joining to Spice things up, and every episode will be broadcast in stunning HD on your American TV for the FIRST TIME EVER, via AXS TV.

So how do you find the most talented needle in a country-sized haystack? You have to search for it – and the producers and judges at THE X FACTOR UK spent the last five months traveling across the United Kingdom doing just that. The “Mobile Audition Tour” took place up and down the UK and Ireland throughout March and April, followed by nine Producers Auditions held in April and May, and four auditions with judges Simon, Mel B, Cheryl, and Louis Walsh in June and July. Phew! A selection of those auditions – described by Louis as “the good, the bad, and the ugly” – are broadcast over the first few weeks of THE X FACTOR UK.

Promising contestants actually compete in two rounds of auditions; a closed-door, face-to-face, acapella snippet for the four judges, followed by a full performance in front of thousands of very vocal X FACTOR fans at Wembley Arena. From there, judges pit their favorites against one-another in the ruthless Six-Seat Challenge to see who will make it into the Judges’ Houses for two weeks of intense mentoring.

Just 12 contestants – three from each group – return to Wembley Arena to battle for the title in the Finals! These final episodes showcase each act at the top of their game, performing LIVE for the judges, a packed arena, and the viewers at home. After each song, the judges weigh-in and that’s when things can get a little heated (and a lot of fun) – with judges defending their contestants against criticism or just criticizing each other. But the people have the final say; and vote for their favorite contestant via telephone, text message, and the Internet. The following episode, the two acts with the fewest votes are revealed, and they perform again in a “final showdown” before the judges vote on which of the two to send home.

Round after round of incredible performances, all-star cameos, and Simon’s take-downs weed out the wannabes until only the act with the true ‘X Factor” is left standing. The winner walks away with a $165 million USD recording contract with Syco Music – Simon’s record label – and worldwide notoriety, like these contestants below:

Will Season 11 discover the next One Direction? Or Cher Lloyd? Find out who has THE X FACTOR Sunday and Monday nights at 8 ET|5 PT, only in the US on AXS TV.